MCCLAIN EXPERIENCE

We met a unicorn...

SPORTS FORCE TOURNAMENT

The weekend-long tournament turned out to be nearly a bust, as James' team had zero games (the team they were supposed to play backed out and didn't let anyone know, so we were there, dressed, and warming up, waiting on them - super rude) and Cora's team had one planned game and one scrambled up game (where they played up against U12 team on the big field because their second U10 team backed out last minute). James' team ended up doing their own scrimmage/practice, and took home medals anyway (you get to be #1 even if you're the only team on the roster). Cora's team played great in both games and also brought home championship medals!

Team huddle and prayer before their scrimmage:

James got to ride the onsite zipline for the first time since Sports Force opened (we're usually there on weekday evenings only, and the zipline is only open on weekends):

For their U10 vs U12 game, the RiverBelles recruited a few of VSO's U12 girls to build out their team (you need more players on the bigger fields), so they switched to the royal blue VSO uniform (they all needed to match, of course).

Then it was Cora's turn to try the zipline:

We were hot and tired by the afternoon, but decided that since we were there when the putt-putt course was open, we should try that out too...

All in all, it was a good day! We just wish Sports Force would give soccer the time and attention that it gives baseball... It is SUCH a nice park and we know plenty of teams that would love to play here, if only the tournaments were well advertised and the cost was lowered.

PACK 104 FIELD TRIP

Our Pack Leaders planned a fun day at the Ocean Adventures Marine Park down in Gulfport, Mississippi as their final summer activity before school starts. It required a very early start, so we had some sweetly napping kids for the majority of the drive down there:

We started with a presentation (death by PowerPoint...) and a group activity, and then we spread out into Den groups to explore the park! There were multiple ray pools, a parakeet house, a bird show, a dolphin show, a museum, and a touch pool with surrounding terrarium exhibits. It's a small park, but they pack a lot in and we felt that it was all well kept and done nicely.

William, James, and Derrick (our Arrow of Light Den):

(Apparently Cora was still tired on the way home... after a stop for a heavy, and early, dinner at the Abita Brew Pub!)